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Don't muzzle the oxFull-time ministry in local churchesDON'T MUZZLE THE OX BURIED TALENTS 'Partnership' is a fellowship of individuals and churches mainly with 'Brethren' roots, whose aim is to 'encourage the application of biblical principles to the changing conditions of modern life'. Both books represent radical thinking among Brethren assemblies about the structure and organisation of what they now appear to be happy to call 'churches'. The approach is one of seeking to persuade those not yet convinced about the ideas being explored. Don't muzzle the ox has a lot of helpful material for any church grappling with the appointment of 'financially supported workers' (FSW) and their relationship with elders or other leaders. The validity of such appointments is accepted and extends to 'paid' elders, youth workers, administrators and others who may be considered appropriate. Neil Summerton sums up the situation: 'It would be a pity if, just when the principles of group leadership and multiple exercise of gifts are being applied widely in the Christian church, those in the Brethren tradition were to revert to an old-fashioned and, in my view, unbiblical form of monarchical (one man authority) leadership of the local church.' Buried talents aims at showing how churches can and should seek out and use the gifts and talents of each church member. In the process, Mr. Ratter uses his considerable experience of business management and there is emphasis on the need for clear thinking about what the church is aiming to do and planning the best means for achieving that aim. The message is summed up: 'A 'continuous improvement mentality' calls for a framework which will provide some structure; with continuous recycling and revisiting of the objectives and processes in order to test that real progress is being achieved.' There can be no doubt that some insights of secular business management are in harmony with biblical principles and can be usefully applied to church administration. But there is always the danger of a church which should be a living body becoming a piece of well-oiled machinery. Clifford Pond© Evangelicals Now - October 1997 |